Apple is ready to ditch Google Maps in favor of home brewed mapping solution on its iOS operating system that powers iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad, reports 9To5Mac. 9To5Mac also reports that the application design is similar to the current Google Maps program on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, but it is much more cleaner, faster, and gives a reliable experience.

Apple had always used Google’s Mapping solutions for its backend but had full control of the actual iOS Maps application design. Knowing Apple, which likes complete control of everything it does, it isn’t a surprise that it’s launching its own mapping solutions. Apple had previously hinted at the same when it went on a buying spree and bought a series of Mapping companies including — Placebase, an online mapping company; C3 Technologies, a mapping company that offers Photorealistic 3D maps; and Poly9, a Canadian 3D mapping startup. What’s interesting is that, it looks like Apple is making use of C3 Technologies’ 3D maps technology. For the uninitiated ones, take a look at the incredible 3D maps by C3 Technologies:

The new mapping app is to make its debut once iOS 6 hits the streets. iOS 6 will most probably be introduced at Apple’s World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC).

Not a first blow for Google Maps

This isn’t Google Maps’ first blow. Previously, Apple started using OpenStreetMap for iPhoto for iOS. New York based location based check-in startup also ditched Google Maps in favor of MapBox which utilizes open-source OpenStreetMap due to Google Maps’ updated API pricing ($4 for every 1,000 visitors past 25,000).